Chris Simms helped make the Tampa Bay journey to Japan a success.
Though Simms is the Buccaneers’ third-string quarterback behind Brad Johnson and Shaun King, he led a fourth-quarter touchdown drive and threw for 70 yards as the Super Bowl champions beat the New York Jets 30-14 Saturday in the American Bowl, the NFL’s exhibition opener.
“He definitely has ability and he proved it tonight,” Gruden said. “We had solid execution and I like the attitude of our team.”
Simms started the second half and led a drive that culminated with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Barlow 45 seconds into the fourth quarter to put the Bucs up 20-7 before a Tokyo Dome crowd of 43,601.
Helmet rule revised
Dwayne Rudd’s helmet gaffe in last season’s opener cost the Cleveland Browns a win. If the same play happens this year, though, it won’t affect the outcome.
The NFL has changed the way the penalty for a player removing his helmet is enforced.
Now, the penalty is considered a dead-ball foul and enforced after the play.
That means if the penalty comes on the last play of the game, it would not be marked off; the game would be over.
The call was officiated correctly last season, referee Walt Anderson said. Half the distance to the goal was marked off, then allowed Kansas City an untimed down.
TEAM, SYNOPSIS
Cleveland Browns At Cleveland
Chants of “Kelly!, Kelly!” rained down from the more than 37,000 fans at a scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium as Kelly Holcomb was 12-for-16 for 164 yards and two TDs.
Indianapolis Colts at Terre Haute, Ind.
Edgerrin James wants to switch jersey numbers from 32 to 5, which was his high school and college number. But running backs have to wear numbers between 20 and 49.
New York Giants at Albany, N.Y.
Kerry Collins completed all 10 of his passes for 113 yards and a TD and halfback Ron Dayne also looked good in an intrasquad scrimmage, with 48 yards and a TD on eight carries.
Green Bay Packers at Green Bay
Disappointed with the performance of David Martin as a back-up for Pro Bowl tight end Bubba Franks, the Packers worked out and offered a contract to Wesley Walls.
